“Thoughtful, innovative and retrospective would be 3 words that come to mind with this year’s very diverse range of entries,” said Winter of the submissions for 2011. Compared to entries from previous years, this year’s submissions are more likely to be “things that people can produce in smaller groups, smaller amounts, or produce themselves in small facilities.”

“What I found interesting this year is the sheer breadth of the work, with an amazing range of products and designs,” said first-time judge Waller.

“One of the trends that we’re seeing with this year’s finalists is a real emphasis on craft, whether it is just the look of the actual object, or a sense of how it’s made and the process by which the work is brought to life.” Waller notes that this reflects a wider trend in the design industry, with “a lot of people returning to a more utilitarian CIY, or ’create it yourself’ design.”

The winner of the Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award 2011 will receive AU$30,000 to put towards the commercialisation of their design, as well as a trip to a leading design fair – Index in Denmark, Design Miami or Interieur in Belgium. 4 runners-up will each receive $2,500 and the remaining 5 finalists will each receive $1,000.